Fibrinolytic Action of Gas Gangrene Anaerobes. ∗

Abstract

Conclusion

1. It is shown that most strains of the more important saccharolytic, toxin-forming gas gangrene species, Cl. welchii, Cl. novyi, Cl. septicum and Cl. sordellii, produce an active fibrinolytic substance. Certain other saccharolytic species, Cl. tertium, Cl. fallax, Cl. aerofoetidum fail to produce this substance. 2. The more common proteolytic gas gangrene species, Cl. histolyticum, Cl. sporogenes and Cl. tyrosinogenes produce an equally or more rapid destruction of coagulated plasma. 3. Most cultures which are active against plasma from one species will break coagulated human, guinea pig and rabbit plasma. Sheep plasma is less readily attacked and not attacked by any strains of Cl. welchii tested. 4. A few strains in both groups of gas gangrene anaerobes produce anticoagulation factors which prevent CaCl₂ coagulation of plasma. It is shown that this is not a pH effect.